Jingmei Jiyi Temple Introduction
The Jiying Temple, located on Jingmei Old Street, was originally built within the bamboo enclosure of Jingwei and is dedicated to the guardian deities of the people from Anxi County, Quanzhou, Fujian Province—Lord Zhang Xun and Lord Xu Yuan. Due to poor geomancy, the temple was relocated in 1867 (the 6th year of the Tongzhi era) to its current site on Lower Jingwei Street. Four hundred years ago, people from Anxi migrated to Taipei, most of whom were tea farmers, and chose the humid hills of Wenshan for tea cultivation, bringing along their local guardian deities, such as Lord Zhang Xun, Lord Xu Yuan, and Master Qingshui. The early settlers from Anxi were primarily from the Gao, Zhang, and Lin families. Over time, the population gradually increased, and the farmland expanded from Jingmei to areas like Muzha, Shenkeng, and Shiding. Consequently, more people began to worship the local deities from Anxi, leading to the expansion of Jiying Temple into three locations, one of which is the Gao Clan Jiying Temple within the Jingmei Market. This site holds historical significance connected to Jingmei Old Street and is classified as a Level 3 Historic Site. The temple's exterior and interior are quite solemn, adorned with numerous wall decorations and intricate stone carvings. Additionally, the corridors feature beautiful wooden aesthetics, with wooden windows and buildings that exude an ancient atmosphere, seamlessly blending with the old streets of Jingmei.
